As we approach the end of the school year, it is a wonderful time to celebrate the many successes of students throughout the Kamloops-Thompson School District.
Celebrating and supporting learning opportunities which inspire students to thrive is the core mission of the Kamloops-Thompson School Board and District Strategic Plan. This year, students of all ages at schools across the District have achieved remarkable accomplishments in everything from athletics to arts to academics.
From the Young Artists and Young Authors conferences to provincial and national championships in athletics and science to graduation and awards ceremonies, SD73 students have demonstrated exceptional talent, dedication, and resilience.
At the end of April, over 120 Grade 4–7 students attended the 38th annual Young Artists’ Conference. Students participated in hands-on workshops in diverse art forms—from Métis sash making to photography—led by professional artists and educators. Student artists showcased their work at the Young Artists’ art show at the Old Courthouse gallery, where 21 Honours Awards were granted for outstanding pieces. This annual conference highlights students’ imagination, depth, and originality, while reinforcing the District’s commitment to nurturing creative literacy and student voice.
In early May, the 46th annual Young Authors’ Conference, a cornerstone literacy event in our District, brought together over 350 elementary and secondary students (Grades 4–12) to participate in creative writing in workshops led by professional writers and acclaimed authors. Students gained inspiration and new tools that helped them hone their writing skills and storytelling. This year’s Marg Van Dusen Awards recognising outstanding student submissions saw an increase in Honourable Mentions, highlighting the growing quality of submissions across grade levels.
At the third annual OMRIE Indigenous Student Summit, held at the beginning of May, over 150 Indigenous students from across multiple school districts gathered to discuss and share their thoughts on Indigenous mental health. This summit remains a critical space for centering student voices with a goal to use the perspectives and recommendations shared by students to inform and support the development of district-level action plans that respond directly to Indigenous mental health needs in schools. We are very proud of the students in our District who have participated in and led discussions during this summit over the past three years and have shared recommendations such as increasing access to language programs, mental health supports, and Indigenous leadership opportunities.
Earlier this month, two Kamloops-Thompson School District students, Benjamin Stroich (Grade 9, South Kamloops Secondary) and Joel Defouw (Grade 7, Juniper Ridge Elementary), represented the District at the prestigious Canada-Wide Science Fair in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Presenting their projects among the country’s top young innovators at Canada’s largest annual youth science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) event is a remarkable accomplishment. Joel Defouw’s project won a Bronze Excellence Award in the Junior division. Their experience highlights the District’s commitment to fostering critical thinking, curiosity, and innovation through enriched STEM opportunities.
Another highlight of June was the fifth annual District Powwow. Known for being a “Teaching Powwow”, Grade 5 students gathered at the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Powwow Arbour and learned about the ceremony, history, and traditions of the powwow. The students participated in the grand procession and various powwow dances. This is an important day of learning that offers students an unforgettable experience to celebrate Indigenous culture through dance, music, art, and storytelling.
May and June is also an important time for us to celebrate Graduations. I had the privilege of attending graduation ceremonies for Twin Rivers Education Centre, Four Directions, Continuing Education, and Barriere Secondary to congratulate and celebrate the hard work and dedication of this year’s graduating students. I was also honoured to attend Indigenous Graduation where we celebrated the largest Indigenous graduating class in the history of the Kamloops-Thompson School District.
On behalf of the Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education, I extend a heartfelt congratulations to all students on their achievements this year. Whether you are graduating, receiving a national award or scholarship, winning a provincial championship, or discovering a new passion at a District conference or event, we are incredibly proud of you.
